Thiepval - Memorial to the Missing

When you visit the Tyne Cott visitor centre it is possible to make use of a computer database that lists the names, regiments, and final resting places of all those individuals who perished in the conflict. I curiously entered my own name into the programme and found the details of two men who bore the same name as I but never returned home. Delving deeper into the records I was able to find out where one of the men was from, where he died, and also a brief paragraph that gave some details of his family background. Of the other chap there was only information on the regiment he was with, where he died, and his final resting place, in this case Thiepval. I couldn't find any mention of his family so I presumed that he didn't have any. The thought of his memory passing in to history with no-one to spare a thought for what he endured made me feel melancholic so I decided I would travel to Thiepval, find his name, and pay my respects.

As is the case with most of the major war monuments it it visible from quite a distance away and is an imposing structure that rises from the tree line very sombrely. The names of nearly 74,000 British and French soldiers are inscribed on it with each name representing someone who died in the first battle of the Somme and who have no known final resting place.

After about 20 minutes of searching the columns I found my name sake. It was a sad experience as this man was 8 years younger than me when he died and I could not comprehend the kind of life that he had lived up until that point. Etched just above was his name in stone was "Ancre Heights". Upon further investigation I read that this battle took place in October 1916 and was an attempt to break the stalemate that had been in effect since July of the same year. More information can be found by following this link http://www.cwgc.org/somme/content.asp?menuid=31&id=31&menuname=Ancre%20Heights&menu=main .

I often contemplate what he would of made of my life and I hope that I have done justice to his name. Despite having never met him, last year on the 11th of November I visited our local war memorial and spent a minute thinking of him. I intend to do the same this year.